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Fashion

So remember a while back I made an attempt at a post about fashion? I’m doing it again. I have no idea what’s gotten into me but I really like clothes, usually more how they look on other people than they do on me, but dressing fun is… fun. I used to work in the real estate appraisal business. When I wasn’t sitting behind a desk in an office that received *zero* customers, I was climbing over shrubs, in basements, and running away from vicious, rabid weenie dogs. Needless to say, now that I’m in a professional workplace, I actually care about what I wear and am more willing to invest money into classic pieces. Invest being the key word. I’m pretty conscious about where my money goes so as much as I love watching trends, I’m cautious about participating in any that will be quick to fade away or date my wardrobe. I like buying separates that I can mix and match, give me a little edge, but also allow me to stay appropriate for meetings with a vast array of people.

So let’s get started and talk about what I’ve been wearing/loving lately. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen most of these but I’ve gotten a lot of questions wanting details about each piece. Happy to oblige!

Again, let’s not talk about the quality of these pictures. If there is any reason for me to give up my beloved spinster status, it might be just to have a live-in photographer! Selfies don’t do these outfits justice and I do apologize.

I. Love. This. Outfit. Can’t even handle it. I’m 5’3″ so pants that aren’t labeled as short or ankle are always going to be long on me. Because of the width of the ankles on these pants, I don’t mind wearing heels/wedges. I think they might look awkward any shorter. The blazer isn’t quite seersucker (one of my favorite Summer patterns, even though I don’t own any… yet) but a very small blue and white pinstripe. It’s lined, but still lightweight, well-made, and will last for seasons to come. I bought a size 6, but it still seemed to be a little loose. I would qualify it as true-to-size but if you’re in-between, order down. The tank I’m wearing under the blazer is old and I have no idea where or when I got it. Use your imagination! The jeans are also my usual size 6. I am curvy, so they’re tighter in the hips than some other jean styles I own. If you are larger in the hips or have issues with jeans fitting your lady lumps/beautiful booty, consider ordering a size up. Outfit details:

I should really just move into Target. Or buy stock in the store. There is no reason for me to not eat, sleep, and live there. Aside from the necklace, tank, and my undies (no wait, they might be from Target, too???!! I have a problem.) this entire outfit is Tarjhay. Yes, I said Tarjhay. I got a bazillion (I counted) compliments on this outfit when I wore it to work and I really shouldn’t have to explain to anyone how versatile the color mint can be. I love wearing colored pants!!! I recommend sizing up in these pants. They’re pretty snug – but I’m too lazy to take them back. The blazer is true-to-size, maybe slightly big. I got the necklace at the J.Crew Factory store (wear it all. the. time.), the tank is from the Limited. Outfit details:

Blazer: Target (website says not sold in stores, but I got mine in-store, worth a shot)

Pants: Target (website says not sold in stores, but I got mine in-store, worth a shot)

Oh fit-and-flare dress how I love thee, let me count the ways (in which you can be styled)!!! Ob.Sessed. I really don’t know what else there is to say about this. The subtle striped pattern punches this up to a little more than your standard white dress, the fit-and-flare style makes it flattering to every. damn. body. I think I could wear a garbage bag with this and still feel like a million bucks. And it has pockets! Again, I got this dress in my normal 6/regular (it’s available in tall and petite, too). I have a large chest, so even though this dress is baggy in some places, I think a 4 would have been too small around my bust. If you have a small/average chest, you may want to size down. This dress is a work-appropriate length which I love because so many things are way too short for work. However, if you’re tall, you may want to check the length/measurements. Outfit details:

Denim Jacket: Mine is very old from the Gap, link is for a very similar version from Old Navy

Blazer: Mine is no longer available, link is for the same brand, similar style; Halogen for Nordstrom (LOVE this brand)

Heels: Zappos, Madden Girl (true-to-size. very comfortable, so many colors, including mint!)

And to wrap up this post, let’s talk about some things I’ve recently purchased that I don’t have personal pictures of. (Shopping addiction/problem? Yes. Rehab? Immediately.)

I mentioned that I have a large chest. This makes finding swimsuits very difficult. I recently bought this one (please pretend that it’s me in this picture) by Freya because it comes in bra sizes with adjustable, non-halter straps. I was skeptical but once I received it, I was completely sold. It’s very comfortable and modestly covers and supports my lady parts so I don’t have to worry about any very indecent exposures on the beach. Contrary to what the picture indicates, this top is not a push-up. The model’s boobs are just magic. I want magic boobs. The bottoms are also full-coverage and comfortable. (This suit can also be found at Nordstrom, HerRoom, BareNecessities, etc.)

I have a new Kate Spade obsession. I saw on another blog that they were having a huge sale and I couldn’t resist following the link. I hate it when I do that. I don’t regret buying this purse though. I’m not a fan of open-top totes. I’m afraid they’ll tump over and spill all of their contents, which will then roll under the seat, my MAC lipstick will melt, and the world will end. (Yes, tump is a word!) I’m also paranoid and thing a pick-pocket will grab my MAC lipstick when the bag is hanging on a chair… or, you know, my wallet. So this beaut of a purse is a great combination of an easy-access tote with the added security of a fold-over flap. Bonus: the flap is also a giant, zippered storage pocket. I will marry this bag and have its little leather babies. Ignore my awkwardness. (Please note, I did NOT pay retail for this bag. Whoa. Those would be some high-priced babies.)

Lastly, I just bought this AMAZING jacket from Windsor Store. I can’t WAIT to get it!!!

How’d I do for my second attempt at a fashion post?? Want more? Let me know!!

Don’t laugh… I have zero sense of style but I also love, love, LOVE fashion. I follow lots of fashion blogs (The Sweetest Thing, Extra Petite, and The Northeast Girl are a few of my faves) and hope that I will magically be able to pull off their looks (or afford their clothes) but for some reason I feel silly when I try to be fashionable!

So, here’s my first attempt at a post about fashion. Here’s the catch: I haven’t yet taken any #OOTD (outfit of the day) pics specifically for the blog so I’ve collected some relatively recent pictures of outfits to discuss. In future fashion posts I hope to be able to link to all pieces and take better pictures! My apologies for the blurries and lack of info on some of the clothes, but let’s give this a shot! Also, don’t make fun of my funny faces… I didn’t tell myself that I’d be publishing these in a blog one day.

Picture 1: this is a look I nabbed straight from the Northeast girl’s blog! The boots are Frye Tall Paige Riding Boots that I’ve had for about three years – a staple of my Fall wardrobe! The sweater is Loft, sold out, but similar here. The plaid shirt is a very old Old Navy find, but plaid is my new obsession so I’m thinking about getting this one on sale!. The jeans are also old, but Gap still makes them: Always Skinny. They’re great quality jeans but I don’t consider them truly skinny – the ankle opening is pretty substantial. However, I wear them all the time and think they’re flattering!

Picture 2: Same Frye boots and Gap jeans as above, this time with a top I got at the Banana Republic Factory store and a scarf I honestly can’t remember where I purchased! Navy/nautical stripes are really hot right now so a similar top should be easy to find, but here’s a really cute b&w peplum style from J.Crew. I think my look would be cute with a mustard colored scarf or jacket!

Picture 3: Target special! Neither of these pieces are available at Target any longer, so I hesitated to even post this one. However, because I think Chambray should be a staple in every girl’s wardrobe I decided to go ahead with it! I found this skirt literally hanging all by her lonesome on a clearance rack in Target (when, of course, all I had gone in for was a few groceries and a birthday card – I can’t help it that clothes are between those two things!). I bought it without knowing what I would pair with it or even if I could get away with wearing it to work. When I got home I tried it with a few cardigans but finally settled on my trusty Chambray (also on clearance from Target a few weeks fine, days, earlier).

Stay tuned for outfits 4-6… we have another snow day tomorrow! Be safe out there!